Dispensing machine



April 23, 1957 R.W.W1LSON ET AL 2,789,726

F IG 2 INVENTOR.

FIG-I W. WILSON J MILLER LONG ARUSSELL RUSSELL BY PAUL P. j @Tm/WILEYApril 23,y 1957 R. W. WILSON ET AL DISPENSING MACHINE Filed JUne 16,1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

RUSSELL w. wlLsoN RUSSELL J. MILLER By PAUL P. LoNs April 23, 1957 R. w.wlLsoN ETAL DISPENSING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1953 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 3PAUL P. L A/G E? ATTORNEY April 23, 1957 Filed June 16e 195s R. w.w|LsoN ETAL vDISPEJNSING MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet '4 INVENTORS April 23,1957 Filed June 16, 1953 R. W. WILSON ET AL DISPENSING MACHINE I 5Shees-Sheet 5 46M CURRENT SOURCE Mncno'swrrcn.

- Erle- F ABY . INVENTORS ,PuissLL W W/SaA/ ZMS;

United States Patent O DISPENSING MACHINE Russell W. Wilson, York,Russell J. Miller, Seven Valleys,

and Paul l. Long, York, Pa., assignors to El-Ge Vending Company, York,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application .lune 16, 1953, SerialNo. 352,658

11 Claims. (Cl. 221--84) This application is a continuation-in-part ofpending application Serial No. 281,712, tiled April l1, 1952, and nowabandoned.

This invention relates to improvements in dispensing machines and moreparticularly to dispensing machines of the vending type which holdarticles of merchandise and discharge the same upon manipulation of anactuating mechanism. ln the preferred embodiment of the machine, theactuating mechainsm is coin controlled, said coin controlling mechanismper se being of conventional type however and not comprising part of theinvention except as it comprises part of the actuating mechanism.

Many types of vending machines have been developed previously,particularly for dispensing articles of uniform size such as rolls orbars of candy, pieces or packages of gum, packages of cigarettes, andnumerous other types of articles which are of regular and uniformgeometric shape. Such machines frequently have hoppers or pockets foreither receiving or holding and advancing the packages or articles to adischarge station and the regular shape of the package or article lendsitself to the machine utilizing said shape conveniently in designing themachine and effecting its operation.

A very different and more complex problem is involved in developing adispensing machine for holding and dis charging packages of somewhatirregular shape such as bags or bag-like packages and particularly thosewhich contain fragile material such, for example, as potato chips. Theirregular shapes of packages such as bags do not readily lend the sameto being stored in a hopper and discharged one at a time from the hopperfor example. lf a jostling mechanism is used to agitate the packages soas to insure feeding of them from a hopper, the contents of the bags, iffragile, will be damaged and thus detract from the salability of theproduct. Potato chips are decidedly in this category. Similar productssuch as curled wafers of Various kinds, cookies, crackers, fruit, andthin or fragile candy products on the market today are likewise in thiscategory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing machineoperable to hold irregularly shaped packages of merchandise andespecially bag or bag-like packages containing fragile merchandise suchas potato chips in a manner wherein they will not be injured whilestored and feeding of packages or bags of such merchandise to adischarge station is assured, whereby one of said packages or bags isdischarged to a customer each time the actuating mechanism ismanipulated.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing machinewhich is relatively simple, inexpensive, durable and foolproof forholding individual packages or bags of merchandise in a manner so thatthey will not be crushed while stored in the machine and said bagssequentially are fed upon operation of the manipulating mechanism to adischarge chute.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing machinewhich may easily be serviced and pro- 2,789,726 Patented Apr. 23, 1957vides a maximum amount of space for storing the merchandise to bedispensed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple and readilyoperable clip mechanism on movable carrier means, every clip beingarranged to hold one or more packages or bags of merchandise, asdesired, and upon said clips sequentially arriving at a dischargestation, the clips are automatically operated to release the clippedmerchandise for discharge to a customer, said releasing means beingarranged to prevent damage to the contents of the package or bag.

Still another object of the invention is to provide several embodimentsof dispensing mechanism using similar basic principles, said embodimentsrespectively being adapted to either relatively large or relativelysmall numbers of packages or bags of merchandise, as may be desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide asa sub-structureof the main invention clips for holding a package or bag of merchandiseon a movable member, said clips being simple indesign and inexpensive tomanufacture and also being readily adapted to being manipulated by a cammechanism as relative motion takes place between the clips and cam.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention as well as otherobjects thereof are set forth in the following specification andillustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front view of one embodiment of dispensing machine havingprinciples of the present invention incorporated therein, part of thecasing of said machine being broken away to show details of themechanism within the casing.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine illustrated in Fig. l, part of thecasing in this ligure also being broken away to illustrate details ofthe invention and certain elements 0f the machine likewise being insection for the same purpose.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of another embodiment of dispensing machinehaving incorporated therein the principles of the present invention,part of the casing of said machine being broken away so as better toillustrate details thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of cam releasingmechanism employed to operate clips on the merchandise holding means soas to release the merchandise from said clips, said view illustratingone of the clips being moved to open position in said figure.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation of one of the clipsholding a bag of merchandise to a supporting member in accordance withthe present invention.

Fig. 6 is a top plan detail view of the releasing cam ernployed in bothspecifically illustrated embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing anotherembodiment of clip engageable by the releasing cam.

Fig. 8 is a sectional side elevation of a dispensing machine similar tothat shown in Figs. l and 2 but in which the actuating mechanism issomewhat different in detail, this embodiment also illustrating aplurality of endless Chains mounted on sprocket gears for purposes ofsupporting clips by which merchandise is releasably secured to saidchains.

Fig. 9 is a sectional front elevation of the dispensing machineillustrated in Fig. 8, the front cover of the cabinet being removed inthis view to show the details.

Fig. l0 is a perspective exterior view of the dispensing machineillustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of the dispensingmachine shown in Figs. 8 through lO and illustrating the packagehandling and releasing function of the machine. A

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary front elevation of the machine shown in Figs. 8through 11,V the front panel of the casing being removed in this view.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section, illustratingon a larger scale than in the previous figures, one of the packagesecuring clamps immediately prior to releasing a package from thesupporting and feeding chain.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fi-g. 13 but illustrating the packagesecuring clamp cammed into open position to release a package.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a section of the chain andpackage securing clamps carried thereby in the embodiment shown in Figs.8 through 14.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of another embodimentof dispensing machine utilizing a solenoid clip releasing means.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation of the solenoidreleasing means illustrated in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of the circuit included in theembodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17.

Referring especially to Figs. 1 and 2, one embodiment of dispensingmachine 10 employing the principles of the present invention isillust-rated therein. This embodiment arseyae is of a type adapted tohold a relatively large number of packages or bags of merchandise.Suitable supporting structure for the mechanism is afforded by a frame12 enclosed by a casing 14. The casing 14 may have a suitable doorprovided in either one side, the front, or the back to permit access tothe interior of the machine for -servicing such as loading the machinewith merchandise. Such door is not actually shown in the drawings but itmay be located at any convenient position and be of any desirable size.The frame 12 includes pairs of spaced cross-members 16 and 18 to whichbearings 20 and 22 are fixed. Either the top or bottom bearings andpreferably the bottom bearings 22 are of the adjustable type in thepreferred embodiment of the invention for purposes to be described.

Shafts 24 and 26 are pivotally supported at the ends thereofrespectively in bearings 20 and 22. Fixed to each shaft intermediatelyof the ends thereof are pul-leys 28 and 30, preferably of the V-type.Extending around and between said pulleys, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, isan endless flexible member such as a belt 32 which is also preferably ofthe V-type. A composite rubber and fabric belt is 'well suited for thepurpose but any other suitable material may be employed. Said belt maysuitably be tensioned by the adjustable bearings 20 or 22 or, ifdesired, the lower crossmembers 18 may be adjustably mounted relative tothe frame 12 to effect such tensioning.

Secured to the belt 32 is a plurality of preferably evenly spaced clips34, one embodiment of which is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The specific typeof clip shown herein is well adapted for the purpose of securing aportion of a bag or other type package 36 containing merchandise to thebelt 32. It will be understood of course that the present invention isnot limited to the exact shape of clip 34, however, since other shapesmay conceivably be operable to achieve the desired purposes of the clipillustrated herein within the spirit of the invention. Clip 34 comprisesa curved clamping finger 38 arranged at one end of the clip andconstructed so as to form an effective clamping of the top, for example,of a bag of fragile merchandise such as potato chips 36 between saidfinger and the outer surface of the belt 32. Intermediately of theirends, the clips 34 are apertured to receive securing means such as abolt 40 which extends either into or through the belt'32 to secure eachclip 34 to the belt. The end ofrtheboltvopposite the headed end mayeither receive a nut 42 Vor be peened, against a washer or otherwise,so. as to attach the clip 34 tothe belt. Preferably, elastic means suchas a coiled spring 44 surrounds the headed end of the bolt 40 so asresiliently to urge or bias the clip 34 against the outer surface of thebelt 32 as clearly shown especially in Fig. 5.

The end of the clip 34 opposite the finger 38 is bent upon itself toprovide a biasing leaf 46, the free end of which is engageable witheither the outer surface of the belt 32 or, preferably, a metal bearingplate or washer 48 which is secured between the clip 34 and the belt 32by the bolt 40. In the specific construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, theclip 34 -is preferably formed from resilient material such as springsteel, brass, or the like, whereby the leaf 46 cooperates with thespring 40 to bias or urge the finger 38 against the outer surface of thebelt 32 and thereby effectively but releasably clamp one end or otherportion of a bag 36 to the belt 32. That is, the end of the leaf 46bears against the plate 48, thereby urging said end of the clip awayfrom the belt and the linger 38 into engagement with the belt, spring 44also aiding lin such urging. The intermediate portion 51) of the clip ispreferably curved as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and acts as a fulcrum forthe clip.

Bags 36 or other packages of either regular or irregular shape andcontaining merchandise may readily have ends or other portions thereofclamped to the belt 32 by manually pressing the bite portion 52 of theclip toward the belt, thereby pivoting the clip about its fulcrum andmoving the finger 38 away from the outer surface of the belt. The end ofthe bag, for example, is then inserted in the space between the belt andfinger and, upon releasing the bite portion 52, the package or bag issecurely attached to the belt against the outer surface thereof. As thebelt is loaded through the loading door, it is gradually fed around thepulleys until substantially the entire belt is loaded. This arrangementaffords a means for storing a relatively large number of bags within acompact space wherein the bags are suspended pendantlike in overlappin-gmanner resembling `shingles and the merchandise within the packages orbags, especially if fragile such as potato chips, is not damaged as itwould be for example if the bags were merely stored on top of each otherin a hopper. Due also to the clip ararngement described above, andthespace within the cabinet between the belt and the front and rear wallsof the cabi- 7 net, bags of a relatively wide range of sizes may beaccommodated. It will be understood of course that the machine should beloaded at any one time lwith bags or packages of the same size. However,the machine lends itself to being loaded, for example, at any one time,with bags of either five or ten cent size, or any other price sizewithin reason, whereby the machine can be operated preferably by using asingle coin of the required denomination.

The actuating or feeding mechanism for the belt will now be described.The preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of aconventional coin controlled unit 54 having a slide type, manuallyoperable plunger 56 which projects forwardly from the front of thecabinet or casing 14. Upon inserting a coin, within the opening providedtherefor in unit 54, the plunger 56 is pushed inwardly to cause inwardmovement of a bar 58 interconnected to the slide. Bar 58 has an abutmentsuch as a nut 60 threadably mounted thereon which is engageable with aboss 61 on relatively short leg 62 of a lever comprising, in the specicconstruction shown herein, a bell crank 64 which is pivotally supportedat 66 by a shaft 67 extending between and supported by the crossmember17. The relatively 'short leg 62 of the bell crank is connected at itsbendvor angle withV a relatively long Vleg 68. Y e

Bar 58 also carries a second abutment such as nut 70 which is ixedthereto and arranged to abut boss 71, there bei-ng a spacebetween the-abutments 60 `and 7) and the portion of fthe bar 58 between theabutments passes freely through a suitable opening in the end of theshorter leg 62yof the bell crankfa-nd bosses 61 and 71 to afford acertain amount of lost motion. This lost motion is preferably providedso that when anyone hampers with the plunger 56 without using a coin,the portion of the bar 58 between the abutments 60 and 70 merely idlymovies relative to the short leg 62 of the bell crank and no feeding :ofthe belt 32 is possible. It is only when a coin is inserted in the unit54 and the plunger is moved only a relatively short distance, frequentlyof the ouder of l" or so, past the amount of the free play or lostmotion movement that the abutment 60 is moved into engagement with theshort leg 62 of the bell crank so as to move it counterclockwise asviewed in Fig. 2 and thereby move the outer end of the long leg 68 inthe direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2. The movement of the long leg68 by short leg 62 comprises a motion multiplying function, whereby arelatively small movement of the end of short leg 62 will provide larelatively longer or greater movement of the outer end of the long leg68. Also, the bell crank 64 serves to translate motion in one directionto motion in another direction at an angle to the first direction, thuspermitting compactness in this machine.

Pivotally connected to the outer end of the long leg 68 is one end fof alink 72, the other end of the link being piwotally connected to one endof an arm 74. Arm 74 is fixed at its other end toy a second or ratchetarm 76, the opposite end of which is rotatably supported by shaft 24.Intermediately of the ends of second arm 76, `a pawl 78 is pivotallymounted which is engageable with the Iteeth of a ratchet wheel 80 thatis fixed to shaft 24.

Bawl 78 is spring pressed into the notches between the -teeth of therartchet wheel 80 in accordance with conventional practice. Y

A counterweight arm 82 is also ixed to second or ratchet arm 76, theweight 84 being adjustable @on arm 82 and is also engageable with a stop86, supported by one of the cross-members 16 so las to limit movement offthe pawl 78 and second arm 76 in clockwise direction as viewedin Fig.2. The stop 86 may be adjustable in height to vary the travel of thepawl arm rto correspond with the spacing of the clips 34, whereby one ormore bags for packages may be advanced by said actuating mechanism uponeach actuation thereof, as desired. From the foregoing and especially byreferring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that inward movement of the plunger56, when made following for example the insertion of a coin into thecontrol unit 54, Will cause rotation of the l bell crank 64 incounterclockwise direction relative to Fig. 2 and thereby effectIdownward movement of link 72 so as to impart sniiicient movement to theratchet wheel that the belt 32 is advanced by the pawl 78 va distancesubstantially equal to the space between 1a successive pair of clips 34or even multiples thereof as where more than one bag or package is to bedischarged as described hereinafter.

Plonger 56 is preferably moved inward rather quickly ,Y

and such movement, due to the motion multiplying effect fof bell crank64 explained above, will cause more rapid movement of the pulley 28 andcorrespondingly of the elt 32. Such rapid movement of the belt, throughthe eifect of centrifugal force imparted to the bag 36 moving around theupper portion :of pulley 28 at the .time as shown in Fig. 2, will causesaid bag to flip from ya position where it hangs in one directionrelative Ato the clip to a position where the bag is hanging in theopposite direction.

lnasmuch ias the clips 34 are preferably made of relatively narrowmaterial of the zorder of 1%. to 2%3 for example, there might be somepossibility of Ithe bags or packages 36 ybecoming slightly disarranged'no their normal path of movement during such movement. Accordingly, toinsure that the bags will be properly positioned while moving around theupper pulley 28 particularly, a pair of spaced guide yshields 88 areprovided, these guide shields being :of :any suitable material such asmetal and preferably flared at their entrance end particularly so as ltoinsure that the bags or packages will be dipped over into alignment withthe entrance end 90 of a discharge chute 92.' As will seen from Fig. 2,Ithe guide shields 88 are arcuate and extend through lan arc of at least90.

The discharge chute 92 is lixed at its upper end to the cross-members 16and extends slopingly downward and outward toward the front of thecasing as shown in Fig. 2, terminating in a discharge end 94 andcommunicating with a suitable exit opening in the casing 14. Preferably,a safety lip 96 is provided to prevent the discharged bag or package ofmerchandise from falling upon the door. Gravity causes ya package or bagof merchandise tto travel down the chute 92 after it is released fromthe belt 32.

Simple and eifective means are provided for causing release of vthe bagsor packages of merchandise from the belt 32 as they approach theentrance end of fthe dischlarge chute 92. One form of said releasing ordischarging means comprises a fixed cam 98 which may simply be formed byutilizing a piece of angle iron 100 extending between and iixed at itsends to two of the side cross-members 16. Intermediately of the ends ofthe angle iron 100, the vertical flange is cut -at two spaced positionsto provide the cam 98 which is merely the portion of said flange betweensaid cuts bent at an acute angle to the remainder of said flange, asshown i-n Figs. 4 and 6, to comprise clip actuating means. During 'themovement fof the belt 32 relative to the cam 98, the bite portion 52 lofthe clip 34 slidably engages the face of cam 98 :and automaticallycauses the bite portion to be compressed as shown in Fig. 6, therebycausing the clamping nger 38 of the clip to be moved away from thelouter surface of bellt 32 and the clamped end of the bag lorpackage 36is thus released from the belt 32, being :discharged into the chute 92.

This releasing operation takes place while the belt is being moved as aresult of inward movement of the plunger 56 and movement of the plunger56 is sufficient lto cause the advancement of one or more bags orpackages lof merchandise to the cam 98, as desire-d, whereupon the sameare released from the belt 32 and move to the exit end 94 of thedischarge chute. The clip 34 which has` been actuated as aforesaid torelease the bag or article of merchandise continues to move past the cam94 land is restored to its norm-al position as indicated -in Fig. 5 bultof course no bag of merchandise will be clamped thereby until themachine is reloaded.

After merchandise has been released and discharged as aforesaid, theplunger 56 will be disengaged by the customer and the counterweight 84will cause the feeding mechanism linkage and arms to be moved in reversedirection to that in which they moved while advancing the belt 32 to thecam 98. To prevent reverse movement of the belt and pulleys during suchreturn, a one way clutch or brake 101 engages shaft 24 so as to permitit to rotate in feeding direction only. The mechanism will then be inposition for another coin to be inserted and the above ldescribed cyclemay be repeated to eifect the discharge of another bag or package fromthe machine.

The present invention also lends itself to being applied to anotherembodiment of machine illustrated in Fig. 3 wherein a cylindrical drum102, formed from suitable material such as wood or metal, is xed to ashaft 104 supported at its ends in spaced bearings 106. Said bearingsare supported on cross-members being supported by a frame 112. In thisembodiment, an operating plunger 56 is associated with a coin controlledunit 54 as in the above described embodiment shown in Figs. l and 2.Similarly, bar 58 is slidably movable by plunger 56 to effeetcounterclockwise movement of bell crank 64 for purposes of actuatinglink 72. Mechanism similar to that shown in Figs. l and 2 causesstepwise movement of the ratchet wheel 80 so as correspondingly to causesequentialadvancement of merchandise clipped by the fingers 38 Vcausethem to drop into discharge chute 92`so that they may be removed fromthe discharge end of the chute l92 by the customer.

The principal difference between the embodiments shown in Figs. l and 2and Fig. 3 is that the embodiment shown in Figs. l and 2 is adapted tocontain a relatively larger number of bags or packages of merchandisethan the machine embodied in Fig. 3 since the latter utilizes a drum andthe former utilizes a belt of greater length than the periphery of thedrum for holding bags or packages of merchandise. Obviously, thediameter of the drum 102 may be varied and thereby permit the same tohold smaller or larger numbers of bags or packages, depending too uponthe size of the bags or packages. In the embodiment shown in Fig. l, thebelt 32 may be made as long as feasibly possible, depending particularlyuponl the height of the casing 14 and the space in which the casing isto be accommodated within a room for example.

When the dispensing machine is used for purposes of holding anddispensing bags or packages of perishable merchandise, it is usuallybest practice not to arrange the machine to hold too great a supply, sothat the supply is soon exhausted and frequent replenishing of themachine with fresh merchandise is required. Further, suitable signalmeans may be utilized to indicate the supply is exhausted and permitreturn of a coin or prevent insertion of a coin. Y

Aside from the capacity aspect of the several embodiments of theinvention, the operating mechanism is generally the same and themanipulation thereof is likewise similar. Thus, it is possible toprovide substantially similar operating mechanism for either type ofembodiment with the exception perhaps of the length of the links 72.Further, the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 readily lends itself to beingplaced upon' a counter, whereas the embodiment shown in Figs. l and 2 isbest suited for being supported upon a floor surface. One additionalembodiment not illustrated herein also comprises a relatively rigidelongated rod-like carrying or supporting member having clips spacedthereon and advanced by ratchet teeth thereon operable, for example, bya pawl attached to the free end of long leg 68 of bell crank 64, allwithin the spirit of the present invention.

It Will also be understood that the shafts for supporting either thepulleys 28 and 30 as well as the drum 102 in the several embodiments maybe supported by bearings aixcd directly to the side panels of the casing14 or 110 and the other shafts in the operating mechanism may likewisebe supported directly by the side panels of the casings if desired. Bysuch arrangement, the cost of manufacturing the machines may be somewhatlessened as compared with the arrangement specifically shown in Figs. lthrough 3.

To aid in retaining the mechandise within the machine in asv fresh,crisp, and salable condition as possible, par` ticularly in regard tofoodstuis such as potato chips, popcorn, various forms of fried or othertypes of puffed snack products, wafers of many kinds, cookies, crackers,candy and the like, it isv desirable to prevent the occurrence of unduehumidity or undesirable odors within the cabinet casing 14. To reducehumidity to a minimum, any convenient type of moisture absorbingsubstance, of which silica gel is one convenient form, may be Vplacedpreferably within a central location within the casing in a suitablecontainer, not shown.

The movement of the packages of merchandise `will serve to keep theatmosphere within the casing somewhat agitated, thus rendering themoisture absorbing substance eicient. The use of a heating element, notshown, such as electric resistance means or a lamp bulb will warm thecasing interior and aid in the absorption of moisture by theaforementioned substance aswellas otherwise devzniorating anddissipating moisture., Undesirableodors ezty l8 may be absorbed forexample by placing a holderv containing activated carbon, not shown,within the casing 14.

The present invention also contemplates the'use of another embodiment ofclip illustrated in Fig. 7. The clip 114`shown therein in detail may befastened to the support such as belt 32 or drum 102 by a bolt 116passing through an aperture in one finger or leg 118 of the clip and thebelt or drum, as shown, so as rigidly to clamp said leg thereto. It willbe understood that a plurality of such clips will similarly be fastenedin spaced relationship to the belt 32 or drum 102 as in the embodimentsshown in Figs. l through 3. The clip 114 also comprises a clampingiinger or leg 120 which is pivotally connected to leg 118 by pairs ofears 122 and 124 bent substantially perpendicularly respectively to thelegs 118 and 120 intermediately of the ends thereof, said ears beingapertured to receive a headed pin 126 passing therethrough andcomprising a pivot pintle for the leg 120 particularly.

Since iinger or leg 118 of each clip is rigidly secured to the supportsuch as belt 32 or drum 102, the clamping leg 120 of each clip is theonly one which is movable relative to the supporting member and, ineffect, the leg 118 and gripping end 130 thereof might be consideredpart of the support such as belt 32 or drum 102. The gripping ends 128and 130 of the legs preferably are bent inwardly toward each other andare serrated so as more iirmly to engage a portion of a package ofmerchandise clipped therebetween. Said gripping ends are constantlyurged toward each other by a spring 132 bent or coiled around pin 126 insuch manner that the ends thereof extend along the inner surfaces oflegs 118 and 120 as shown in Fig. 7, thereby constantly urging the tail134 of clamping leg 120 away from the corresponding end of rigidlyclamped leg 118.

A portion of a package of merchandise such as the folded end of a bagmay be clamped between the gripping ends 128 and 130 of the legs bymanually pressing the tail 134 toward the Ysupporting member 32, 102 orstraight bar type, thereby separating the gripping end 128 from end 130.Upon releasing the tail 134, the end 128 is moved toward end 130 byspring 132 and the package is thereby firmly clamped between said ends.

Automatic release of the packages held by clips 114 is elected, as inthe embodiment of the clip shown in Figs. l through 5, by the tails 134of the movable leg 120 ofeach clip being moved succesively past cam 98,as shown in Fig. 7, as a result of movement of the supporting member bythe actuating mechanism therefor. The tails are depressed by the cam,thereby moving gripping end 130 of claimping leg 120 away from grippingend 128 of leg 118 and t'he thus released package falls by gravity fromthe clip and down the discharge chute 92. Basically, therefore, t-hefunction of clips 114 is very similar to clips 34, the .same beingalternatives.

It will further be understood that a single cabinet or casing 14 or 110may contain either a plurality of belts 32 mounted side by side on setsof pulleys therefor or circular parallel rows of clips mounted on eithera single wide drum 102 or respectively on a plurality of adjacent drums.If desired, the plurality of belts or rows of clips on a drumor drumsmay have the clips staggered, for example, in adjacent rows, and thecams 98 provided for each row thereby alternately will release packagesfrom the several rows of clips and discharge them into either a commondischarge chute or separate chutes, as desired. In such an arrangementonly a single actuating mechanism is required to actuate all the rows ofclips. However, obviously, separate actuating mechanisms may be providedfor each row of clips, if preferred. In addition to the severalembodiments of dispensing machines illustrated in Figs. l through 7 anddescribed hereinabove as Well as in application Serial No. 281,712, theprinciples of the present invention may be utilized in the embodiment ofa dispensing machine villustrated in Figs. 8 through 15. In the latterembodiment, a plurality of endless chains 140 and 142 are specificallys'hown and are .arranged side by side as best illustrated in Figs. 9 and12. A fragmentary portion of o-ne of said chains is illustrated indetail in Fig. 15, wherein it will be seen that the specificillustration comprises, for convenience, a conventional bicycle chain.

The frame 144 supports the components of the mechanism and is enclosedby a suitable casing 146. A plurality of cross-members 148 and 150comprise part of the upper portion of the frame 144 and parallel, lowercross-members 152 and 154 also comprise part of the frame. The uppercross-members 148 and 150 respectively support bearings 156 and theopposite ends of upper shaft 158 `are rotatably supported therein. Fixedto shaft 158, in spaced relationship to each other, is a pair ofsprocket gears 160 and 162. The chains 140 and 142 pass around saidsprocket gears as clearly shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 1l.

The opposite ends of a lower shaft 164 preferably are fixed respectivelyto the lower cross-members 152 and 154 by any suitable means such asbolts 66. A pair of lower sprocket gears 168 and 170 are mounted onshaft 164 for free rotation. Suitably spaced sprocket positioningcollars` 172 are fixed to shaft 164. Sprocket gear 168 also has a brakedrum 17.4 welded or otherwisey secured thereto, said brake drumextending through a complementary opening formed in a pair of brakemembers 176 and 178. The brake members 176 and 178 are preferably formedfrom wood and are slightly spaced apart, the same preferably having thebrake drum receiving opening lined with frictional material 180 such asconventional automobile brake lining. Secured to cross-member 152 is apair of brackets 182, the inner end of each bracket being secured tobrake member 178 by a pair of bolts 184 which extend through saidbrackets and both brake members 176 and 1.78. These bolts not onlymaintain the brake members positioned relative to the brackets but thenuts on one end of each bolt are adjustable to afford the Idesiredamount of friction between the brake members and brake drum 174. Saidfriction is sufficient to permit rotation of the sprocket gear 168 infeeding direction by the actuating mechanism, to be described, but alsoprevents overrun or backlash movement of the sprocket gear 168. Inasmuchas sprocket gear 168 is connected by chain 142 to upper sprocket 160,and sprocket gears 160 and 162 are both xed to shaft 158, it followsthat prevention of overtravel or backlash movement of the sprocket gear168 will likewise be prevented in the chains 140 and 142.

Movement of the chains 140 and 142 in feeding direction is achieved bymeans of ann 186 which is connected at one end 188 to upper shaft 158.Said end 188 is enlarged and encloses conventional ratchet mechanism,such as in a ratchet wrench, which is operable in such manner that whenthe outer end of arm 186 moves in the direction of the arrow shown inFig.V 8, the shaft 158 will be moved correspondingly. Also secured toand projecting radially from upper shaft 158 is a counterweight arm 190.An adjustable counterweight 192 is mounted on the outer end of :arm 190and may be maintained in any desired position by a suitable set screw.The purpose of the arm 190 and weight 192 is to return the .arm 186 tostarting position following a complete feeding movement thereof. Theratchet natureof end 188 of arm 186 will permit readily such returnmovement of said arm 186 while shaft 158 remains stationary.

ln this embodiment of dispensing machine, a pivotally supportedactuating handle 194 is mounted on the exterior of the casing 146. Saidhandle is connected to a shaft projecting from a coin-controlledmechanism 196 which may be of lany suitable commercial type, the exactlnature thereof not comprising part of the present invention. Mechanism19.6 is supported between a pair of cross-bars 198 and 200 which extendbetween two of the vertical members of frame 144. A coin slot 202, shownin Fig. l0, is formed in mechanism 196 and it will be understood thatwhen a suitable coin is introduced into said mechanism, the handle 194will be connected to 1a shaft 204 which projects into the casing 146from the mechanism 196. Connected at one end to shaft 204 is a radiallyextending arm 206 which is best shown in Fig. 9. Extending between theouter end of arm 204 and arm 186 is any suitable connecting means suchas a chain 208, the opposite ends of which may be aixed to said iarms bysuitable wire loops or otherwise. It thus will be seen that when handle194 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 9, arm 206 willpull the outer end of ratchet arm 186 downward and thereby effect afeeding movement of lche chains and 142. Movement of arm 186 in feedingdirection may be'arrested, if idesired, by engagement with crossbar 232,to be described hereinafter, or by an adjustable stop supported thereby.At the completion of such feeding movement, and upon handle 194 beingreleased by the operator, the counterweight 192 will raise arms 186 and206 to t-he starting or full-line position thereof shown in Figs. 8 and9.

Each of the chains 140 and 142 has a plurality of package or articleclamping clips 210 secured thereto in spaced relationship to each otherlongitudinally of said chains.V In the Vspecific illustration shown inFig. l5, each chain comprises a series of blocks 212 which are connectedto each other by pairs of links 214. In supporting bags of potato chips,for example, on said chains, it has been found that clips secured toalternate blocks 212 afford an adequate spacing of the clips 210. Hov.-ever, it will be understood that said spacing of the clips may be variedto suit the particular bags or packages of articles or merchandise to besupported by said clips upon said chains.

The clips 210 may be of any appropriate nature and in the embodimentpresently being described, said clips are similar to those illustratedin Fig. 7 in the foregoing embodiments. TheV clips 210 preferablycomprise a clamping leg 216 which is secured by a rivet or bolt 218 toone of the blocks 212 of the chain. Pivotally secured to leg 216 is amovable clamping leg 220 which is substantially parallel to the chain towhich the clip 210 is secured. Clamping leg 216 of veach clip preferablyhas a transversely extending end 222 which cooperates with the clampingend 224 of leg 220. A spring 226 maintains the clamping ends 222 and 224of the clips in clamping engagement with `each other for purposes ofclamping any suitable portion of a bag or package of merchandise such asan end, corner, or a label or tab aixed thereto. The other end 228 ofeach clamping leg 220 is preferably curved toward clamping leg 216 so asto form a suitable camming surface which is slidably engageable withreleasing cam 239. The latter releasing cam normally is fixed relativeto the frame 144, said cam 230 preferably comprising a section of oneweb of an angle arm bar 232 which extends between cross-members 148 and150, as in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 through 7. The ends of bar232 may be attached to cross-members 148 and V by bolts 151. One of saidbolts is preferably arranged so as easily to be disconnected andtherebypermit swinging of the bar 232 and the releasing cams 230 from theoperative position of said cams. lf desired, a fixed pin on one of thecross-members may be substituted for one of said bolts 151, in whichevent the end of bar 232 held by said pin may simply be lifted from saidpin to permit pivotally moving said bar to inoperative position asaforesaid. Thus, when the machine is being loaded with the` bags orpackages 234, it may be desirable to move the chains 140 and 142 freely,especially in feeding direction, without causing release of previouslyattached bags or packages from the clips. Further to facilitate suchmovement of the chains, the feed chute 236 may be removed readily, ifdesired;

' Exemplary bags 234 of merchandisesuchas potato chips for example,areclamped at one end by clips 210 to each of the chains 140 and 142. Asbest shown in Fig. 12, the clipson the respective chain's'140 and 142are mounted in staggered relationship to eachotherso that successivefeeding movements of lshaft 158 `by arm 186 will alternately releaseclips on the chains 140 Vand 142. Thus, while a plurality of chains areembodied in the dispensing mechanism shownV in this embodiment,preferably only one bag or package is released upon each feedingmovement of the shaft 158. Movement of said shaft can be limited andvaried by suitable lixed or adjustable stops engageable by arm 186, forexample.

It is to be understood too that the coin-controlled mechanism 196 may beof such type as to accommodate a variety of coins. In this event, if abasic coin such as a nickel is inserted in the slot 202, only a singlebag or package of merchandise will be released upon each actuation ofthe handle 194. However, if for example, a dime is inserted in slot 202or in another slot provided specifically to accommodate dimes, themechanism 196 may be such that it will then afford greater movement ofhandle 196 and correspondingly greater movement of arm 186, whereby twobags or packages will be released by a single movement of handle 194. Itwill be seen from the foregoing that the present invention is capable ofeither a single or multiple discharge of packages or bags of merchandisein accordance with the 'value of coin inserted in the mechanism 196.

Although a plurality of chains 140 and 142 are provided in the presentembodiment of dispensing machine, only a single discharge chute 236preferably is provided. The upper end of said chute, as shown in Fig.l2, is made sufficiently wide to accommodate the bags on both of thechains 140 and 142. Said chute extends from the upper sprocket gears 160and 162 to the discharge opening 238 in the casing 146. Chute 236 may besupported by detachable engagement with bars 232 and 200, and the upperend of the chute is also provided with a plurality of slots 240 whichaccommodate portions of the sprocket gears 160 and 162 as well as thechains 140 and 142 and the clips 210 thereon. Said slots are bestillustrated in Figs. 8 and l2 through 14. Referring to Figs. ll and l2particularly, it will be seen that the slots 240 afford a strippingaction which assures separation of the clipped ends of bags 234 from theclips 210 and the chain after the clips engage the cams 230 so as toopen the same. This function is illustrated in its sequences in Figs. l3and 14. In'Fig. 13, the clip has not engaged the cam and the upper endof the bag 234 still is clamped but the bag is resting on chute 236ready to be released. In Fig. 13, the cam has opened the clip to releasethe bag and the opened clip also has been moved through slot 240 inchute 236, the edges of slot 240 incidently engaging the bag to insurethe stripping thereof from the clip. In Fig. 14, it will be seen the bag234 has been released from the clip and is sliding down chute 236. Ifdesired, a pilier-proof means such as a pivoted blade, not shown, may beprovided in chute 236 to prevent unauthorized access to the upper end ofthe chute. The lower, discharge end of the chute extends throughdischarge opening 23S in casing 146. Preferably, the front panel of thecasing comprises the loading door, whereby the chute 236 may be removedreadily to load the machine.

As is best shown in Fig. 8, the elongated packages or bags such as 234,for compactness, are preferably arranged in overlapping or shingle-likeformation, said bags or packages hanging downward from the clips on thechains 140 and 142, similarly to the arrangement shown in the embodimentillustrated in Fig. 2. The generally parallel arrangement of the clipsto the movable chains also provides maximum compactness of the clampedbags. orv packages within the casing of the machine. lWhentheactuating-handle 194 is moved, following the insertionof a'coin, thechains 140 and 142 will be moved in feedin'g direction rather brisklyand such movementcauses the/.bags or packages positioned adjacent the,top'of sprocket. gears 160 and 162 to be llipped counterclockwise, asshown `in Fig. 1l, so as to change the position of the package or bagfrom hanging in one direction relative to the clips 114 to hanging inthe opposite direction. Such flipping action of the bags or packages 234effectively will dispose the same upon the upper end of discharge chuteV236 without damage to the contents, particularly since the spacing ofthe bags preferably is such that when a bag is ipped, it will contact apreviously flipped bag which will cushion the contact. Thus, when thebags or packages 234 successively are released by cam 230 from the clips210, the released packages or bags will'slide down chute 236 so thatthey may readily be removed through opening 238 by the customer. Y

Further, while the present illustration shown in Fig. 12 particularlyindicates a pair of chains for supporting merchandise and a singledischarge chute to accommodate released bags or packages from eitherchain, it is to be understood that any reasonable number of chains orother similar supporting and conveying means for releasably holding bagsor packages of merchandise may be used within a single casing inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

In the several embodiments of the invention described hereinabove, themerchandise supporting clips are opened to release the merchandise uponsaid clips engaging in sequence a xed cam means. Other types of clipreleasing means are possible in lieu of such cam. One example of anothertype of releasing means is illustrated in the embodiment of dispensingmachine illustrated in Fig. 16. Said machine is similar to thatillustrated in Figs. land 2 insofar as the belt advancing mechanism isconcerned. The specic releasing means to be described is not restrictedby its nature however for use only with said specifically illustrated`machine, The belt actuating mechanism illustrated in Fig. l6 correspondsto that shown in Fig. 2 and repetition of such description will not bemade insofar as the novel clip releasing means is concerned.

Referring to Fig. 16, when the plunger 56 is moved inward to actuate thebell crank 64 for purposes of advancing pulley 2S and belt 32 supportedthereby, the bags or packages 36 of merchandise positioned at the top ofthe pulley 28 will be flipped, as shown in Fig. 16, from hangingdownward in one direction to hanging downward in the opposite directionrelative to the clip and incidentally be disposed upon discharge chute92. Preferably during the Ilast portion of the inward movement of theplunger 56, the inner end of bar 58 will engage the actuating member 242of a switch 244 that is connected in a circuit including a source ofelectric current and a solenoid 246 positioned beneath theentrance endof discharge chute 92. The solenoid 246 has a plunger or armature 248which is positioned to engage the trail end 134 of the movable clampingleg of clip 114. Thus, when the bag or package 36 which next is to bereleased has been moved unto the discharge chute 92 as the result ofinward movement of plunger 56, the nal portion of the movement of saidplunger 56 will cause the switch 244 to either close or open thecircuit, as the case may be, depending upon the circuit, to effectactuation of the solenoid 246 so that armature 248 thereof opens theclip 114 suiciently to permit the bag or package 36 to be released fromthe clip, whereupon it will slide down discharge chute 92 to thedischarge end 94 thereof. The cooperation of the solenoid 246 with clip114 is illustrated in larger scale in Fig. 17, the closed position ofthe clip and normal position of the solenoid armature being shown infull lines. The open position ofthe clip, whenv engaged .by the solenoidarmature 248,

is shown in dotted lines in said figure. Following the opening of theclip 114 by the solenoid armature 24,8, and after the customer hasreleased plunger 56 pursuant to the delivery of the bag or package 36 tothe discharge opening 94, the counterweight 86 will restore the ratchetfeeding mechanism to its initial position. The plunger 56 incidentallyalso will be restored to its initial position and thereby move the innerend of bar 58 from engagement with switch member 242. The solenoid 246will thereby be restored to its normal position illustrated in fulllines in Fig. 17. Plunger 248 may be retracted to said position by anyconventional means such as a spring 25d. It will be understood, too,that the abovedescribed solenoid-type clip actuating means may besubstituted, if desired, for the camsy 230 of the embodiment shown inFigs. 8 through 15'.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesa plurality of embodiments of a dispensing machine wherein packages orbags of either irregular or regular shape may be supported within themachine without injury to the bags or packages and the contents thereof,regardless of whether said contents are fragile or otherwise. Thepackages or bags are moved by etiicient and simple feeding mechanism toa discharge chute upon the insertion of a coin within the actuatingmechanism. The supporting means for the packages or bags include clipseach of which has movable clamping legs extending substantially parallelto the supporting means whereby the bags or packages may be held incompact relationship to each other in a safe manner due particularly tothe arrangement of the clips relative to the supporting means. Sucharrangement also alfords maximum use of the available storage spacewithin the casing of the machine.

A variety of supporting means are provided in the various embodiments,these consisting, for example, of belts, chains, rigid rods or drums towhich the clips are secured. Several forms of clip releasing means areprovided of simple and effective nature and the basic design included insaid various embodiments provides for a iiipping of the packages or bagsfrom hanging in storage position onto the discharge chute. Sucharrangement insures effective delivery of the packages or bags to saidchute in a positive and orderly manner. After being positioned on saiddischarge chute, the clip releasing means function to permit sequentialdisconnection of the packages or bags from the clips and supportingmeans by relatively tamper-proof and simple mechanism.

The various embodiments of merchandise supporting means are readilyloaded' with bags or packages by the provision of suitable doors in thecasings of the machines and ample space `is provided within a relativelycompact casi-ng to permit the accommodation of a maximum movement ofbags or packages within the dispensing machine. also provided with meansfor preventing overtravel or backlash movement of the supporting andfeeding means for the merchandise, whereby delivery of the correctnumber of bags or packages for a specified coin is insured. The.actuating mechanism also is rugged and oapable of withstanding asubstantial amount of attempted misuse Without injury to the machine.

While the invention has been shown and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiment-s, and has included certain details, it should beunderstood that the invention is not to be limited to the precisedetails herein illustrated and described since the same may be carriedout in other ways falling Within the scope tof the invention as claimed.

We` claim:

l. A vending machine for holding .and discharging articles lofmerchandise having a tiexible portion, said machine comprising incombination, a member movable through a fixed endless path having apor-tion circular in cross-section, said member being supported withinsaid The feeding and actuating mechanism is machine for rotation about`horizontal @axis means, a' series of spaced clips supported and movedby said member, said clips being operable respectively to clamp saidflexible portions of said articles to said member inspaced relationshipto each other and said yarticles hanging pendantlike by gnavity from theclamped portion thereof, cam means iixedly mounted adjacent the path ofmovement of said member and relative to which said member' is movable,and actuating means for said member interconnected thereto and includinga manually operated member and motion multiplying means operable toproduce stepwise rapidly accelerated movements of said member an-darticles clamped thereto in feeding direction to effect successiveengagement of said clips with said cam and actuate said clipssequentially to disengage said articles from said member, said :articlesprior to engaging said cam and when moving through the upper portion ofthe circular path thereof being subjected to centrifugal force resultingfrom said accelerated feeding movements and flipped thereby from hangingin one direction relative to said member to hanging in theoppositedirection.

2. The vending machine of claim l further including a discharge chutehaving lan entrance end positioned adjacent said eam and said articleswhen flipped as aforesaid being positioned to be received by saidentrance end of said chute.

3. A vending machine for holding and discharging articles of merchandisehaving la ilexible appendage portion, said machine comprising incombination, a pair of circular members rotatably supported for movementabout horizontal axes in vertically spaced relationship to each other,said members being disposed substantially in a common Vertical plane, anendless flexible member passing around said circular members, Ia seriesof spaced clips connected to 'and moved by said flexible member, saidclips being operable respectively to clamp said flexible appendageportions of said articles to said member in spaced relationship =to eachother in such manner that said articles may hang by gravity from saidclips, cam means iixedly mounted adjacent the path of movement of saidflexible member and relative to which said member is movable, andratchet-type actuating means` for said member interconnected thereto andcomprising ratchet operated manually actuated motion multiplying meansoperable to produce rapidly accelerated stepwise movements of saidiiexible member in feeding direction to cause the articles hanging inone direction from said clips as they approach the uppermost portion ofmovement around the top circular member to be flipped successively bycentrifugal force to hang in .fthe opposite directionfrom said clipsprior to said clips reaching said cam means, said clips while holdingsaid articles in the latter position successively engaging said cam toIactua'te said clips to disengage said 'articles from said member.

4. A vending machine for holding and discharging airticles ofmerchandise having a flexible appendage portion, said machine comprisingin combinati-on, a pair of shafts horizontally mounted within saidmachine in vertically spaced relationship, a plurality fof circularmembers mounted in spaced relationship on each shaft, endless flexiblemembers each passing yaround two of saidv circular members'respec-tivelyon said shafts, a series of spaced clips connected to each yof saidtlexible members, said clips being operable respectively to clamp saidilexible appendage por-tions of said articles to said members in spacedrelationship to each other and in suc-h manner that said `articles mayhang by gravity from said clips, ythe clips on said several flexiblemembens being vertically staggered relative to each other, whereby saidclips are not in horizontal alignment, cam means iixedly mountedadjacent the path of movement of said flexible members and relative towhich said members are movable, actuiating means interconnected to saidflexible membens land operable to produce quick stepwise movementsthereof in feeding direction to cause 'the articles hanging in onedirection from said clips as they approach the uppermost portion ofmovement around the top circular members to be ipped successivelybycentrifugal force to hang in the opposite direction from said clipsprior Ato said clips reaching said cam moans, said clips while holdingsaid articles in the latter position successively engaging said cammeans and actuate said clips sequentially to disengage said articlesfrom said members, a chute extending downwardly from-said cam means to adischarge station and operable to receive articles released from saidclips, and guide means adjacent the upper end of said chute and operableto direct said articles onto said chute when moving toward said cammeans.

5. The vending machine set forth in claim 4 further including strippingmeans positioned adjacent the upper end of said dschargechute and meanscommonly supporting said entranceend of said chute and said cam means,said entrance end of said chute being sufliciently wide to accommodatethe articles disengaged from all of said exible members and the exit end'leading to a single discharge opening. p

6. The vending machine set forth in claim 3 further including adischarge chutehaving an entrance end positioned adjacent said carnmeansand provided with a slot receiving said exible member and clipsimmediately prior to said cam means engaging said clips, the portions ofsaid chute defining said slotserving to engage said articles ofmerchandise as each is released Vfrom its clip to prevent furthermovement thereof with said clip as said clip moves past said lcam,means7 thus insuring delivery of said article to said chute means.

7. A vending machine for holding and discharging articles of merchandisecomprising in combination, a casing having a loading opening in one wallthereof and an article delivery opening, said loading opening beingclosed by a movable door, a supporting member movable within said casingthrough a-closed path, means interconnected to said member and operableto advance said member stepwise, a plurality of clipsA evenly spacedalong and connected to said supporting member and each clip including anarticle clamping finger pivotally interconnected to said membr, oneend'thereof comprising a clip releasing end, means on each clip operablenormally to urge the opposite end of said finger toward said member toengage said article in clamping relationship, a releasing cam supportedby a fixed member within said casing adjacent said movable clipsupporting member and the cam thereon being operablecs'equentially toengage the clip releasing end of each clip near the end of each stepwisemovement of the supporting member to move the opposite gripping end ofthe clip away from said member and release the article held thereby, andan article delivery chute removably supported within said casingadjacent said loading opening and removable therethrough to render saidsupporting member accessible for loading, said chute communicating withand extending upward from said delivery opening to said cam, wherebysaid chute receives articles when released from said clips and deliversthem by gravity to said delivery opening.

K 8. The vending machine set forth in claim 7 further characterized bysaid fixed cam supporting member comprising a bar extending benath theupper end portion of said chute and detachably engaging the same tosupport it operatively relative to said movable clip supporting member.

9. The vending machine set forth in claim 8 further characterized bysaid bar also being movable from its fixed position when loading saidmachine to render said movable clip supporting member accessible.

10. A vending machine for holding and discharging articles ofmerchandise comprising in combination, a supporting member movablethrough a closed path relative to an article delivery station, meansoperable to advance said member stepwise unidirectionally toward saidstation, a plurality of clips evenly spaced along and connected to saidsupporting members, each clip including pivotally connected legs, oneleg of each clip being fixed directly and parallel to said supportingmember and the trailing end thereof in the direction of movement of saidmember comprising a gripping end, one end of the pivotally supported legcomprising a gripping end cooperating with the gripping end of said oneleg to clamp a flexible appendage of an article of merchandise to hangpendantlike therefrom and theV opposite end of said pivotally supportedleg `comprising a clip releasing end, means on eachV clip operablenormally to urge the gripping ends of the legs toward each other inarticle gripping relationship, the closed path of the supporting memberbeing curved at least at the upper portion thereof and the articles hang`downward in one direction from said clips when moving into said curvedportion of said path but are shifted by gravity to hang downward in theopposite direction substantially at the end of said curved path, wherebysaid clamped flexible appendage is bent U-shaped around the clamping endof the outermost leg of each clip when the articles are in the latterposition and eifectively preventing accidental separation of saidarticles from said clips prior to discharge therefrom, and releasingmeans supported in a fixed position adjacent the end of said curved pathofsaid supporting member and said delivery station and operablesequentially to engage the clip releasing end of the other leg of eachclip near the end of each stepwise movement of the supporting member tomove the gripping ends of the clip apart and release the article heldthereby at the article delivery station.

11. The vending machine set forth in claim 10 further includingstripping means positioned adjacent said delivery station and operableto engage the articles as released from the gripping ends of said clipsand insure complete separation of the articles sequentially from saidsupporting member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS496,281 VPursell Apr. 25, 1893 699,408 YOwen May 6, 1902 975,181Turnbully Nov. 8, 1910 1,079,218 Curtis Nov. 18, 1913 1,208,379 RoyemDec. 12, 1916 1,451,879 Lacke Apr. 17, 1923 1,872,779 McKee Aug. 23,1932 2,189,641 Slezak Feb. 6, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,050 Great Britainof 1903

